SO BE FREE 3

San Jacinto Mountains, CA

Photo: David Wagner

March 26 – 29, 1998
UC James San Jacinto Mountains Reserve

The third year was at the UC James San Jacinto Mountains Reserve, yet another unit of the UC Natural Reserve System. It has a lab/dorm complex and has immediate access to an incredible variety of habitats ranging from low desert with palm oases through chaparral to oak/pine woodlands and mixed conifers, along one spectacular road, the Palms to Pines Highway (Hwy. 74) from Palm Desert to Idyllwild. We collected specimens aimed towards generating a list of bryophytes for the Reserve itself, as well as an interesting new satellite reserve, the Oasis de los Osos, nearby at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains, north of Palm Springs. No comet, but after the El Niño-caused rains this year, the wildflower displays were spectacular, and the coldest cold front of the season covered the mountain with snow down to 2000 ft. on our last day there.

Brent Mishler with a wild cucumber fruit on his hat — Mishler and Marah

bryologists collecting a plant from a waterfall — Cooperation in collecting

bryologists looking at a plant they just collected — What plant is this?

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